The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-10-22
JACKS WORTH.
BY NJ. e. moLAIIAN.

1
protests Mrs. Fame, gently. "But with mn
consent you will not remain at the Dever-
eux's, Lillian. They are not fit associates
for my only daughter"
''Why, Mamma Faner' exclaims Lii, in
dignation stamped on the lovely, rebellious
face she lifts from her half packed trunk.
''Not fit associates for poor little me! They
| reYel in all the luxuries wealth can buy,
liYe on Fifth Avenue in brown-stone
mansion, and belong to the very best society
in New York;
THE best, my child?" returns Mrs. Fame,
slowly. ''They may belong to the richest,
the most recklcssly dsslpated and flippant-
ly fashionable! but Pm sure II is not the
best in moral sense, nor the best for my
little girl under any circumstances. From
what Jack has told me-"
"Jack Halburton is selfish old bearr'
breaks in Lii, recklessly. "Just because
am so unfortunate as to be his cousin In
lame-jointed sort of way, he takes it upon
himself TO lay out a programme for me to
religiouslyfollow, and spoil all my pleasure"
''Lillianr' censures her mother, but
vainly, for the lovely indignant creature
goes on:
''He is well aware that | would have
more pleasure at Deyereux' than any place
else in New York, and meet nicer people;
therefore he takes it upon his meddlcsome
self to poison your mind against them. Yet
he is not above the frivollty of attending
their parties himself when he gets a chance,
Eye heard. ] hate him, and I'll tell him
SO, toor'
A tall shadow falls across the window
and a masculine face, more strong and gem
ial than handsome, is framed in the climb
ing morning-glories.
''Eavesdroppers, as we all know" he
says, and his deep, rich voice sounds some-
what bitter with irony, ''are proyerbially
doomed to witness their own destruction.
l am no exception to the general rule, ex-
cept, indeed, that l am given chance to
vindicate myselfr'
Lil's lovely upper lip curyed in scorn.
She was so used to his admiration, so used
20 abuse and tyrannize oyer this great hulk
ing, good-natured Jack, who in 10 one way
even realizes her ideal.
His face IS generally one TO he loved and
trusted, nevertheless; but now, in its stern
anger, it is more one to he feared and re-
spected.
AS he strides into the little sitting-room,
Lii resumes her packing, strangely subdued
in fear, and there is the tiniest flush on the
dainty ear presented TO Jacks stern gaze.
81 want you to listen," he says slerhly,
'while tell you the unyarnislhed truth.
You may then do as you please. do not
consider the DeyereuX's fit people for any
pure, unsophisticated young girl TO assocl-
ate with. There is contamination in the
air they breathe, and the restless, fashion
able, fast, soulless set they gather around
them. My opinion may be of very little
account, but would prefer to see the
woman intended marrying lying dead in
her grave than entering the charmed fatal
circle of that clique.
Lii elevates her lovely brows in cool,
questioning sarcasm.
1.-THE woman YOU intend marrying?" she
retorts sneeringly. "Indeed, happy woman.
But as am not identical with her, per-
haps you viii have the grace, Mr.. Halbur-
ton, to leave any actions to my own dis
cretionr'
Gillian! LIllianw cries her mother an.
srily, and even the lovely, petulent girl is
startled by the look on Jacks face.
Without another word he turns, and,
leaving the room, strides off over the fields
toward the wood, where early autumn is
beginning to paint her matchIess colors on
the Yerdure.
From her own room Lii watches HIM mn
til he disappears, then filings herself face
downward on the dainty bed, snG breaks
into passionate sobs.
A disheveled little heap; at last she sur.
Yeys herself in her mirror, aud bursts into
scornful, tear-shaken little laugh
what guy | am," she says. "Well,
it's time to dress for the journey, guess
Anyway, Jack can't spoil all my six long
weeks visit. And even il can't stop al
the Deyereux's, am not forbidden to call
there. Mamma would never know any
way, ii Jack didn't tell. shall have 10
coax him up on the train going down."
''But ''coaxing him up" is a more diff
cult task than that pretty, brilliant eyed
little country Girl had ever found Il before
He sits apart, strangely unsocial, aud
scanning the newspaper columns as intent
ly as ii all his thoughts weIe not chaotical-
ly mixed up with that gray-elad visit OPP
posite.
Jack" she ventures once, and he starts,
then CARDS her coldly, as II she had been an
impertinent stranger.
81 beg your pardon-did you speak," he
asks, and although she had meant TO make
some friendly oYeItures-an apology, If
necessary-his stern indifference staItles
her out OF the purpose.
''Will you please raise this Window"
sue asks, and silently be complies, and even
Offers her paper 10 read.
Kitty Arnold has come TO meet her IN
pretty pony phaeton. The girls bug aud
kiss each other. then Lii aud Jack bid each
other a stern, stifi goodbye, 80 cold that II
almost makes LII shlYer percsptibiy.
The express will bring your trunk, "